Automatic driving assistance system, automatic driving assistance method, and computer program

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001Related technical fields include automated drive assisting systems, methods, and programs that assist, a vehicle to travel through automated drive control.

BACKGROUND ART

0002In recent years, many vehicles are provided, with a navigation apparatus that provides travel guidance for the vehicle to allow a driver to easily .reach a desired destination location. The navigation apparatus is a device that can detect the current position of the vehicle using a GPS receiver or the like and acquire map data corresponding to the current position from a storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or an HDD or through a network to display the map data on a liquid crystal monitor. Furthermore, such a navigation apparatus is provided with a route search function for searching for a recommended route from the vehicle position to a desired destination location when the destination location is input, and adapted to set the recommended route found in the search as a route for guidance, display the route for guidance on a display screen, and provide audio guidance in the case where the vehicle approaches an intersection or the like in order to reliably guide a user to the desired destination location. In recent years, in addition, some cellular phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers, and so forth also have functions that are similar to those of the navigation apparatus described above.

0003In recent years, in addition, there has been proposed, as a travel mode of a vehicle, travel through automated drive control in which the vehicle travels automatically along a route set in advance with no reliance on a drive operation by a user, besides manual travel in which the vehicle travels on the basis of a drive operation by the user. In the automated drive control, for example, the current position of the vehicle, the lane in which the vehicle travels, and the positions of other vehicles around the vehicle are detected at all times, and vehicle control for a steering unit, a drive source, a brake unit, and so forth is performed automatically such that the vehicle travels along the route set in advance. Although travel through the automated drive control is advantageous in that a burden related to drive on the user can be reduced, travel through the automated drive control may be difficult in some situations, depending on the road conditions and the surrounding environment. Examples of such situations include a situation where a right or left turn is to be made at an intersection, a situation where it is necessary to make a lane change or a lane merge in a short section, and a situation in a bad weather. In such situations, it is necessary to suspend travel through the automated drive control and commence manual drive.

0004In the case where travel through the automated drive control is to be suspended, it is necessary for the user to travel through the manual drive after travel through the automated drive control is suspended, and thus it is desired to appropriately make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive. Thus, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-161196 (JP 9-161196 A), for example, proposes a technique of providing guidance on a changeover from automated drive control to manual drive in consideration of the time required for the changeover in the case where a vehicle is traveling through the automated drive control on a highway on which travel through the automated drive control is permitted and the vehicle has approached an end point (IC) of the highway where it is necessary to make a changeover to the manual drive.

SUMMARY

0005In the technique according to JP 9-161196 A, the highway is defined as a section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, and thus a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is basically made only at the end point of the highway. If general roads are included in the section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, however, the vehicle passes through a large number of branch points on an expected travel route. Vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and so forth enter and exit from the branch points in different directions, often with irregular motion, and it is basically difficult for the vehicle to travel through the branch points through the automated drive control. Thus, if the general roads are included in the section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, it is necessary to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in consideration of passage through the branch points.

0006Exemplary embodiments of the broad inventive principles described herein provide an automated drive assisting system, an automated drive assisting method, and a computer program that enable a vehicle that passes through a branch point to appropriately make a changeover from automated drive control to manual drive.

0007Exemplary embodiments provide automated drive assisting systems, methods, and programs that assist automated drive control for a vehicle when the vehicle travels through the automated drive control in an automated drive section, in which the automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted. Specifically, exemplary embodiments provide systems, methods, and programs that acquire an expected travel route for a vehicle that includes an automated drive section in which automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted, and execute the automated drive control for the vehicle such that the vehicle travels along the expected travel route in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route. The systems, methods, and programs make a changeover from the automated drive control to manual drive based on a drive operation by a user in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in a travel direction of the vehicle which travels through the automated drive control in the automated drive section, the changeover being made before the branch point.

0008With the automated drive assisting system, the automated drive assisting method, and the computer program configured as described above, it is possible for a vehicle that passes through a branch point to appropriately make a changeover from automated drive control to manual drive in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle which travels through the automated drive control. Thus, even in the case where general roads are included in a section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, it is possible for the vehicle to travel while switching between travel through the automated drive control and travel through the manual drive at appropriate timings in accordance with the situations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of a travel assist processing program according to the embodiment.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of the travel assist processing program according to the embodiment.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a branch point that meets a predetermined condition.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an example of a changeover section set in the case where automated drive control does not have a function of making a lane change.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an example of a changeover section set in the case where automated drive control has the function of making a lane change.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a manner of switching between travel through the automated drive control and travel through manual drive when a vehicle passes through a branch point.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a condition for recovering the automated drive control.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a manner of recovering the automated drive control in the case where the automated drive control does not have the function of making a lane change.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a manner of recovering the automated drive control in the case where the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

0019An automated drive assisting system, embodied as a navigation apparatus, according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of a navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment will be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram illustrating the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment.

0020As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment has: a current position detection section <b>11</b> that detects the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is mounted; a data storage section <b>12</b> that stores various types of data; a navigation ECU <b>13</b> that performs various types of computation processing on the basis of input information; an operation section <b>14</b> that receives an operation from a user; a liquid crystal display <b>15</b> that displays, to the user, a map of an area around the vehicle, information on a route for guidance (an expected travel route for the vehicle) set in the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>, and so forth; a speaker <b>16</b> that outputs audio route guidance; a DVD drive <b>17</b> that reads a DVD that serves as a storage medium; and a communication module <b>18</b> that communicates with an information center such as a probe center and a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center. In addition, the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is connected to a vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> and various sensors installed on the vehicle on which the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is mounted via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN. Furthermore, the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is connected to a vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> that performs various types of control for the vehicle on which the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is mounted in a mutually communicable manner. The navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is also connected to various operation buttons <b>21</b> mounted on the vehicle such as an automated drive start button.

0021The constituent elements of the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> will be described below in order.

0022The current position detection section <b>11</b> is composed of a GPS <b>22</b>, a vehicle speed sensor <b>23</b>, a steering sensor <b>24</b>, a gyro sensor <b>25</b>, and so forth, and can detect the current position of the vehicle, the orientation, the travel speed of the vehicle, the current time, and so forth. In particular, the vehicle speed sensor <b>23</b> is a sensor that detects the travel distance of the vehicle and the vehicle speed, and generates pulses in accordance with rotation of drive wheels of the vehicle to output a pulse signal to the navigation ECU <b>13</b>, The navigation ECU <b>13</b> counts the generated pulses to calculate the rotational speed of the drive wheels and the travel distance. It is not necessary that the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> should include ail of the four sensors, and the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> may be configured to include only one or a plurality of such sensors.

0023The data storage section <b>12</b> includes: a hard disk (not illustrated) that serves as an external storage device and a storage medium; and a recording head (not illustrated) that serves as a driver that reads a map information DB <b>31</b>, a predetermined program, and so forth stored in the hard disk and writes predetermined data into the hard disk. (As used herein, the term “storage medium” is not intended to encompass transitory signals.) The data storage section <b>12</b> may he constituted of a flash memory, a memory card, or m optical disk such as a CD or a DVD in place of the hard disk. The map information DB <b>31</b> may be stored in an external server to be acquired by the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> through communication.

0024The map information DB <b>31</b> is storage means for storing link data <b>33</b> on roads (links), node data <b>34</b> on node points, search data <b>35</b> for use in processing for searching for a route and changing the route, branch point data <b>36</b> on branch points, facility data on facilities, map display data for displaying a map, retrieval data for retrieving a location, and so forth, for example.

0025The stored link data <b>33</b> include: for links composing a road, data representing the width of the road to-which the link belongs, gradient, cant, bank, road surface state, merging section, road structure, number of lanes of the road, location at which the number of lanes is reduced, location at which the width is reduced, a railroad crossing, and so forth; for corners, data representing the radius of curvature, an intersection, a T junction, an entrance to and an exit from the corner, and so forth; for road attributes, data representing a descending road, an ascending road, and so forth; and for road types, data representing a general road such as a national road, a prefectural road, and a narrow street, and a toll road such as a national express highway, an urban expressway, a road exclusively for automobiles, an ordinary toll road, and a toll bridge.

0026The stored node data <b>34</b> include: the coordinate (position) of a branch point (including an intersection, a T junction, etc.) of actual roads and a node point set every predetermined distance in accordance with the radius of curvature etc, on the roads; the node attribute representing whether the node is a node corresponding to an intersection or the like; a connected link number list which is a list of the link numbers of links connected to the node; an adjacent node number list which is a list of the node numbers of nodes that are adjacent to the node via a link; and data on the height (altitude) of each node point.

0027The stored search data <b>35</b> include various types of data for use in route search processing for searching for a route from a departure location (e.g. the current position of the vehicle) to a set destination location. Specifically, the stored search, data <b>35</b> include cost calculation data used to calculate a search cost such as a cost (hereinafter referred to as an “intersection cost”) obtained by quantifying the degree of suitability of an intersection for a route and a cost (hereinafter referred to as a “link cost”) obtained by quantifying the degree of suitability of a link composing a road for a route.

0028The stored branch point data <b>36</b> include various types of data on the branch points. Specifically, the stored branch point data <b>36</b> include the positional coordinate of the branch point, the type of roads connected to the branch point, the number of lanes in the roads, the travel direction designation of each lane, the position of a stop line, and the presence or absence of a traffic signal.

0029The navigation ECU (electronic control unit) <b>13</b> is an electronic control unit that controls the entire navigation apparatus <b>1</b>, and includes a CPU <b>41</b> that serves as a computation device and a control device, and internal storage devices such as a RAM <b>42</b> that is used as a working memory when the CPU <b>41</b> performs various types of computation processing and that stores route data etc. when a route is found, a ROM <b>43</b> that stores a control program, a travel assist processing program (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>) to be discussed later, and so forth, and a flash memory <b>44</b> that stores a program read from the ROM <b>43</b>. The navigation ECU <b>13</b> has various means as processing algorithms. For example, route acquisition means acquires an expected travel route for the vehicle that includes an automated drive section in which automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted. Control execution means executes the automated drive control for the vehicle such that the vehicle travels along the expected travel route in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route. Travel assisting means makes a changeover from the automated drive control to manual drive based on a drive operation by the user in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle which travels through, the automated drive control in the automated drive section.

0030The operation section <b>14</b> is operated to input a departure location at which travel is started and a destination location at which travel is ended, and has a plurality of operation switches (not illustrated) such as various keys and buttons. The navigation ECU <b>13</b> performs control so as to execute various corresponding operation on the basis of a switch signal output in response to a depression of a switch or the like. The operation section <b>14</b> may be composed of a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display <b>15</b>. The operation section <b>14</b> may be composed of a microphone and a speech recognition device.

0031The liquid crystal display <b>15</b> displays a map image that includes roads, traffic information, operational guidance, an operation menu, key guidance, guidance information on a travel along a route for guidance (expected travel route), news, weather forecasts, the time, mails, television programs, and so forth. In the embodiment, the liquid crystal display <b>15</b> also outputs guidance that prompts the user to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control cannot be executed because a right or left turn is to be made at a branch point, for example. The liquid crystal display <b>15</b> also outputs guidance indicating that the automated drive control is recovered in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control can be executed again after switching is made from the automated drive control to the manual drive. An HUD or an HMD may be used in place of the liquid crystal display <b>15</b>.

0032Examples of the travel mode of the vehicle include travel through the automated drive control in which the vehicle travels automatically along a route set in advance with no reliance on a drive operation by the user, besides manual drive travel in which the vehicle travels on the basis of a drive operation by the user. In the automated drive control, for example, the current position of the vehicle, the lane in which the vehicle travels, and the positions of other vehicles around the vehicle are detected at all times, and vehicle control for a steering unit, a drive source, a brake unit, and so forth is performed automatically such that the vehicle travels along a route set in advance by the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b>. Some types of the automated drive control have a function of making a lane change, and the others do not have the function of making a lane change (i.e. a lane change can be made only through the manual drive). The details of the automated drive control are already known in the art, and thus are not described herein. The automated drive control may be performed for all road sections, or may be performed only while the vehicle travels in a specific road section (e.g. on a highway provided with a gate at the boundary (whether attended or unattended, charged or free)). In the following description, the automated drive section in which the vehicle is subjected to the automated drive control is defined as all road sections that include general roads and highways, and the automated drive control is basically performed while the vehicle travels on the roads. It should be noted, however, that the automated drive control is not always performed in the case where the vehicle travels in the automated drive section, but is performed only in situations where the user selects performing the automated drive control and it is determined that the vehicle can travel through the automated drive control. That is, the automated drive section is a section in which the automated drive control is permitted for the vehicle in addition to the manual drive.

0033Although travel through the automated drive control is advantageous in that a burden related to drive on the user can be reduced, travel through the automated drive control may be difficult in some situations, depending on the road conditions and the surrounding environment. Examples of such situations include a case where the vehicle travels in a section in which a lane change or a lane merge is required within a predetermined distance, a case where the vehicle travels in a section in which a partition line has disappeared or faded to such a degree that the partition line cannot be recognized using a camera, and a case where a right or left turn is to be made at a branch point. Thus, in the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment, it is determined whether or not the automated drive control can be executed in consideration of information acquired from the vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> or an external server in the case where the vehicle travels in the automated drive section, and switching from the automated drive control to the manual drive is made automatically, or guidance that prompts the user to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is provided, in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control cannot be executed. In the case where it is determined that the automated drive control can be executed again after switching is made from the automated drive control to the manual drive, further, switching from the manual drive to the automated drive control is made automatically, or guidance that prompts the user to make a changeover from the manual drive to the automated drive control is provided.

0034The speaker <b>16</b> outputs audio guidance on travel along a route for guidance and guidance on traffic information on the basis of an instruction from the navigation ECU <b>13</b>. In the embodiment, the speaker <b>16</b> also outputs audio that prompts the user to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control cannot be executed because a right or left turn is to be made at a branch point, for example. The speaker <b>16</b> also outputs audio guidance indicating that the automated drive control is recovered in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control can be executed again after switching is made from the automated drive control to the manual drive.

0035The DVD drive <b>17</b> is a drive that can read data stored in a storage medium such as a DVD and a CD. Music and video is reproduced, the map information DB <b>31</b> is updated, etc. on the basis of the read data. A card slot for reading and writing of a memory card may be provided in place of the DVD drive <b>17</b>.

0036The communication module <b>18</b> is a communication device that receives traffic information, probe information, weather information, etc. transmitted from a traffic information center such as the VICS center or a probe center, for example, and may be a cellular phone or a DCM, for example. The communication module <b>18</b> may also include a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device that performs vehicle-to-vehicle communication and a road-to-vehicle communication device that performs communication with a roadside unit.

0037The vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> is an imaging device constituted of a camera that uses a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD, for example, and is attached to the back side of a rearview mirror of the vehicle and installed with its optical axis directed forward in the travel direction of the vehicle. The vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> captures a scene ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle in the case where the vehicle travels in the automated drive section. In addition, the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> performs image processing on the captured image to detect a partition line drawn on the road on which the vehicle travels, other vehicles around the vehicle, and so forth, and performs the automated drive control for the vehicle on the basis of the detection results. The vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> may be disposed on the rear side or at a side, rather than on the front side, of the vehicle. A sensor such as a millimeter wave radar, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or road-to-vehicle communication may be used, in place of the camera, as means for detecting other vehicles.

0038The vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> is an electronic control unit that controls the vehicle on which the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> is mounted. In addition, the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> is connected to various drive sections of the vehicle such as a steering unit, a brake unit, and an accelerator. In the embodiment, the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> executes the automated drive control for the vehicle by controlling the drive sections particularly in the case where the vehicle travels in the automated drive section. In addition, the navigation ECU <b>13</b> transmits an instruction signal related to the automated drive control to the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> via a CAN when an expected travel route (route for guidance) for the vehicle is decided. The vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> executes the automated drive control after the start of travel in accordance with the received instruction signal. The content of the instruction signal includes information for specifying the expected travel route (route for guidance) and information for setting the control content (such as straight travel, a lane change to the right, and a lane merge, for example) of the automated drive control to be performed on the vehicle in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route.

0039Subsequently, a travel assist processing program executed by the CPU <b>41</b> of the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> are each a flowchart of a travel assist processing program according to the embodiment. The travel assist processing program is a program executed at predetermined intervals (e.g. intervals of 100 ms) after the expected travel route (route for guidance) for the vehicle is decided to assist travel through the automated drive control. The expected travel route is decided by executing route search processing using a Dijkstra's algorithm known in the art when the user sets a destination location at the start of travel, for example, and the user operating to select one of a plurality of candidate routes. The program illustrated in the flowcharts of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> described below is stored in the RAM <b>42</b> or the ROM <b>43</b> of the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>, and executed by the CPU <b>41</b>.

0040In the travel assist processing program, first, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”) <b>1</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the automated drive control for the vehicle is being executed.

0041The automated drive control is performed in the case where the vehicle travels in the automated drive section, and only in situations where the user selects performing the automated drive control and it is determined that the vehicle can travel through the automated drive control. In the embodiment, the automated drive section is defined as all road sections that include general roads and highways. In addition, whether or not the user selects performing the automated drive control is determined in accordance with whether or not the automated drive start button is depressed, for example. The automated drive start button is disposed in an instrument panel or the like, and depressed when the user desires to switch between the automated drive control and the manual drive. Specifically, when the automated drive start button is depressed with the vehicle traveling through the manual drive in the automated drive section, the automated drive control is started. When the automated drive start button is depressed during execution of the automated drive control, meanwhile, the automated drive control is ended even during travel in the automated drive section, arid switching is made to the manual drive. Examples of the situations where it is determined that the vehicle cannot travel through the automated drive control include a case where the vehicle travels in a section in which a lane change or a lane merge is required within a predetermined distance, a ease where the vehicle travels in a section in which a partition line has disappeared or faded to such a degree that the partition line cannot be recognized using a camera, and a case where the vehicle travels through a branch point that meets a predetermined condition as discussed later.

0042In the ease where it is determined that the automated drive control for the vehicle is being executed (S<b>1</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>2</b>. In contrast, in the case where it is determined that the automated drive control for the vehicle is not being executed (S<b>1</b>: NO), that is, during travel through the manual drive, the processing proceeds to S<b>16</b>.

0043In S<b>2</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> acquires the current position of the vehicle on the basis of the result of the detection performed by the current position detection section <b>11</b>. Map matching processing in which the current position of the vehicle is specified on map data is also performed. Furthermore, it is desirable that the current position of the vehicle should be specified precisely using a high-precision location technique. In the high-precision location technique, white lines and road paint information taken from a camera provided in rear of the vehicle are detected through, image recognition and further collated with a map information DB that stores white lines and road paint information in advance to detect the lane in which the vehicle Is traveling and the precise vehicle position. The details of the high-precision location technique are already known in the art, and thus are not described herein.

0044Next, in S<b>3</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines, on the basis of the current position of the vehicle acquired in S<b>2</b> and the map information stored in the map information DB <b>31</b>, whether or not there is a branch point that meets the predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle (e.g. within 1 km). The branch point that meets the predetermined condition refers to such a branch point that an entry road for entry into the branch point and an exit road for exit from the branch point in the case where the vehicle travels along the expected travel route are not on the along-the-way relationship. Being “not on the along-the-way relationship” indicates that the angle of connection between an entry road <b>51</b> and an exit road <b>52</b> is within a predetermined range (e.g. 30 degrees to 150 degrees) as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. That is, the branch point that meets the predetermined condition may also be a branch point that requires a change in vehicle orientation of a predetermined angle (e.g. 30 degrees) or more in the case where the vehicle travels along the expected travel route. Such a branch point requires complicated vehicle operations for a right or left turn or special attention to pedestrians and bicycles when the vehicle passes through the branch point. Thus, it is determined that the vehicle cannot travel through the branch point through the automated drive control, and a changeover to the manual drive is made when the vehicle passes through the branch point as discussed later.

0045In the case where it is determined that there is a branch point that meets the predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle (S<b>3</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>4</b>. In the case where it is determined that there is not a branch point that meets the predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle (S<b>3</b>: NO), in contrast, the travel assist processing program is ended. After that, the vehicle continues to travel through the automated drive control.

0046In S<b>4</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> acquires information about the branch point that meets the predetermined condition located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, information about the vehicle, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Specifically, the CPU <b>41</b> acquires the following information. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0047">(1) The distance from the vehicle to the branch point that meets the predetermined condition located ahead in the travel direction.</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0048">(2) The distance from the vehicle to a stop line provided at the branch point (in the case where there is no stop line, it is assumed that a stop line is present a predetermined distance (e.g. 1 m) before the location of the start of entry into the branch point).</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0049">(3) The lane configuration (such as the number of lanes and the travel, direction designation of each lane) of each of the entry road for entry into the branch point and the exit road for exit from the branch point in the case where the vehicle travels along the expected travel route.</li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0050">(4) The position of the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling.</li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0051">The information (1) to (4) is acquired by reading information from the map information DB <b>31</b>, acquiring the result of the detection performed by the vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> and the other various sensors, or communicating with an external server such as the VICS center or a probe center.</li></ul></li></ul>

0052After that, in S<b>5</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> sets a changeover section, in which a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is made, before the branch point located ahead in the travel direction. Specifically, a start point and an end point of a changeover section are decided in accordance with the following criteria, and a section between the start point and the end point is set as the changeover section. The range of the changeover section to be set is varied in accordance with whether or not the automated drive control has a function of making a lane change as discussed later. <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li id="ul0003-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li id="ul0004-0001" num="0053">(A) Start Point of Switchover Section</li></ul></li></ul>

0054(a) In the case where the automated drive control does not have the function of making a lane change: a location positioned farther away from the branch point along the expected travel route than the end point of the changeover section and a predetermined distance (e.g. 700 m) before the stop line provided at the branch point. <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li id="ul0005-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0006" list-style="none"><li id="ul0006-0001" num="0055">(b) In the case where the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change: a location positioned farther away from the branch point along the expected travel route than the end point of the changeover section and being one of the following locations that is the closer to the branch point: “a location at which the vehicle has been moved to a lane designated for the travel direction for the vehicle to pass through the branch point along the expected travel route (e.g. a right-turn-only lane in the case where the vehicle is to make a right turn)”; and “a location a predetermined distance (e.g. 700 m) before the stop line provided at the branch point.”</li></ul></li></ul>

0056(B) End Point of Switchover Section

0057A location that allows the vehicle to stop at the stop line provided at the branch point (in the case where there is no stop line, it is assumed that a stop line is present a predetermined distance (e.g. 1 m) before the location of the start of entry into the branch point) by decelerating at a deceleration of a threshold or less and that is the closest to the stop line. The threshold is the upper limit value of the deceleration that does not impose a significant burden on the vehicle or the passengers. In the embodiment, in the case where a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is not made in the changeover section, the vehicle is subjected to an emergency stop in some cases (S<b>15</b>). Thus, the end point of the changeover section is determined as the limit location that allows the vehicle to stop at the stop line without imposing a significant burden on the vehicle or the passengers in such cases.

0058For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an example of a changeover section set in the case where the automated drive control does not have the function of making a lane change. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, in the case where the automated drive control does not have the function of making a lane change, a section from a location a predetermined distance (e.g. 700 m) before a stop line <b>54</b> provided at a branch point <b>53</b> to a location that allows the vehicle to stop at the stop line <b>54</b> by decelerating at a deceleration of a threshold or less and that is the closest to the stop line is set as the changeover section.

0059On the other hand, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates an example of a changeover section set in the case where the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, in the case where the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change and a vehicle <b>55</b> makes a right turn to pass through the branch point <b>53</b>, a section from a location at which the vehicle <b>55</b> has been moved to a right-turn-only lane to a location that allows the vehicle to stop at the stop line <b>54</b> by decelerating at a deceleration of a threshold or less and that is the closest to the stop line is set as the changeover section. In the case where the vehicle <b>55</b> makes a left turn to pass through the branch point <b>53</b> and the vehicle is already traveling in a lane on the leftmost side from which a left turn can be made, a location a predetermined distance (e.g. 700 m) before the stop line <b>54</b> provided at the branch point <b>53</b> is set as the start point of the changeover section.

0060After that, in S<b>6</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines, on the basis of the current position of the vehicle acquired in S<b>2</b> and the changeover section set in S<b>5</b>, whether or not the vehicle has already reached the end point of the changeover section.

0061In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has already reached the end point of the changeover section (<b>86</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>13</b>. In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has not reached the end point of the changeover section (S<b>6</b>: NO), in contrast, the processing proceeds to S<b>7</b>.

0062In S<b>7</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines, on the basis of the current position of the vehicle acquired in S<b>2</b> and the changeover section set in S<b>5</b>, whether or not the vehicle has already reached the start point of the changeover section.

0063In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has already reached the start point of the changeover section (S<b>7</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>8</b>. In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has not even reached the start point of the changeover section (S<b>7</b>: NO), in contrast, the travel assist processing program is ended.

0064In S<b>8</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> reads a guide-provided flag stored in the RAM <b>42</b>, and determines whether or not the guide-provided flag is off. The guide-provided flag is a flag that indicates whether or not guidance that prompts a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive has been provided when the vehicle is to pass through the branch point located ahead in the travel direction. The guide-provided flag is set to off in the initial state, and turned on in S<b>10</b> to be discussed later.

0065In the case where it is determined that the guide-provided flag is off (S<b>8</b>: YES), it is acknowledged that guidance that prompts a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive has not been provided so far, and the processing proceeds to S<b>9</b>. In the case where it is determined that the guide-provided flag is on (S<b>8</b>: NO), in contrast, it is acknowledged that guidance that prompts a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive has already been provided, and the processing proceeds to S<b>11</b>.

0066In S<b>9</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> outputs, from the liquid crystal display <b>15</b> or the speaker <b>16</b>, guidance that prompts a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive. As a result, guidance that prompts a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is provided when the vehicle reaches the start point of the changeover section set in S<b>5</b>. For example, audio that says “Turn right ◯ ◯ m ahead. Change over to manual drive,” is output.

0067After that, in S<b>10</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> reads the guide-provided flag stored in the RAM <b>42</b>, and sets the guide-provided flag to on.

0068Next, in S<b>11</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the user is detected to have made a predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive. The predetermined indication of intention is an operation of one of a steering unit, a brake unit, an accelerator, a shift lever, and an automated drive start button of the vehicle. Whether or not the steering unit, the brake unit, the accelerator, and the shift lever of the vehicle are operated is determined by receiving a signal from the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b>. Particularly for an operation of the steering unit, the brake unit, and the accelerator, it is desirable to determine that the user has made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive in the case where an operation is made by a certain amount or more or an operation has been made continuously for a certain time or more in order to prevent erroneous detection.

0069In the case where it is determined that the user is detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive (S<b>11</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>12</b>. In the case where it is determined that the user is not detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive (S<b>11</b>: NO), the travel assist processing program is ended. Thus, if the user is detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle reaches the end point of the changeover section, the processes in and after S<b>12</b> are executed. In the case where the user is not detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle reaches the end point of the changeover section, on the other hand, the processes in and after S<b>13</b> are executed.

0070In S<b>12</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> transmits an instruction signal to the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> via a CAN, temporarily stops the automated drive control and makes a changeover to the manual drive. As a result, the automated drive control for the vehicle is temporarily stopped, and switching is made to the manual drive. After that, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the user makes an operation for a right or left turn etc. required at the branch point so that the vehicle passes through the branch point along the expected travel route. Travel based on the manual drive after the switching made in S<b>12</b> is performed continuously at least until the vehicle exits from the branch point as discussed later. After the vehicle exits from the branch point, and when a certain recovery condition is met, the automated drive control is recovered (S<b>21</b>), either automatically or in the case where the user has made an indication of intention. The recovery of the automated drive control will be discussed in detail later.

0071In S<b>13</b> which is executed in the case where it is determined in S<b>6</b> that the vehicle has reached the end point of the changeover section (S<b>6</b>: YES), on the other hand, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not there exists a route that passes through the branch point, which is located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, along the way. Specifically, it is determined that there exists a route that passes through the branch point along the way in the case where there is an exit road, the angle of connection of which with the entry road for entry into the branch point, through which the vehicle is to travel, is within a predetermined range (e.g. α=150 degrees to 210 degrees in the example illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) (i.e. in the case where there is a route, along which the vehicle can travel by making a change in vehicle orientation of less than a predetermined angle (e.g. 30 degrees)). Even in the case where there is an exit road, the angle of connection of which with the entry road for entry into the branch point, through which the vehicle is to travel, is within a predetermined range, it may be determined that there does not exist a route that passes through the branch point, which is located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, along the way in the case where the exit road is a road that is not suitable for the vehicle to travel on such as a narrow street.

0072In the case where it is determined that there exists a route that passes through the branch point, which is located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, along the way (S<b>13</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>14</b>. In the case where it is determined that there does not exist a route that passes through the branch point, which is located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, along the way (S<b>13</b>: NO), in contrast, the processing proceeds to S<b>15</b>.

0073In S<b>14</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> changes the expected travel route (route for guidance) for the vehicle set in the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> to a route that passes through the branch point, which is located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, along the way. In the case where the vehicle passes through the branch point along the way, complicated vehicle operations for a right or left turn or special attention to pedestrians and bicycles is not required, and thus the vehicle can pass through the branch point along the expected travel route even if the vehicle continues to travel through the automated drive control without switching to the manual drive. After that, the travel assist processing program is ended.

0074In S<b>15</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> transmits an instruction signal to the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> via a CAN to subject the vehicle to an emergency stop. As a result, the vehicle is stopped before entering the branch point. The vehicle is basically controlled so as to be stopped before the stop line. In the case where the traffic signal is green or in the case where the road on which the vehicle travels is a priority road, however, the vehicle may be stopped past the stop line (at a position at which the vehicle has entered the branch point). Alternatively, the vehicle may be decelerated to a certain speed or less rather than being stopped. As a result of performing control so as to stop the vehicle in S<b>15</b>, the vehicle can be prevented from passing through the branch point with the automated drive control continued. After that, the travel assist processing program is ended.

0075In S<b>16</b> which is executed in the case where it is determined in S<b>1</b> that the vehicle has been traveling through the manual drive (S<b>1</b>: NO), meanwhile, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through a branch point that meets a predetermined condition. As in S<b>3</b>, the branch point that meets the predetermined condition refers to such a branch point that an entry road for entry into the branch point and an exit road for exit from the branch point in the case where the vehicle travels along the expected travel route are not on the along-the-way relationship. That is, in S<b>16</b>, it is determined, on the basis of a drive operation by the user, whether or not the vehicle, which was subjected to a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in S<b>12</b>, has thereafter passed through a branch point located ahead in the travel direction.

0076In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has passed through the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>16</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>17</b>. In the case where it is determined that the vehicle has not passed through the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>16</b>: NO), in contrast, the travel assist processing program is ended, and the vehicle continues to travel through the manual drive.

0077In S<b>17</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> acquires information about the next branch point located ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, information about the vehicle, and the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Specifically, the CPU <b>41</b> acquires the following information. <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none"><li id="ul0007-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0008" list-style="none"><li id="ul0008-0001" num="0078">(1) The distance from the vehicle to the next branch point located ahead in the travel direction.</li><li id="ul0008-0002" num="0079">(2) The lane configuration (such as the number of lanes and the travel direction designation of each lane) of a road that the vehicle has entered after exiting from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (i.e. a road on which the vehicle is currently traveling).</li><li id="ul0008-0003" num="0080">(3) The position of the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling.</li><li id="ul0008-0004" num="0081">The information (1) to (3) is acquired by reading information from the map information DB <b>31</b>, acquiring the result of the detection performed by the vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b> and the other various sensors, or communicating with an external server such as the VICS center or a probe center.</li></ul></li></ul>

0082Subsequently, in S<b>18</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the orientation of the vehicle has become parallel to a partition line of a road that the vehicle has entered after exiting from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (i.e. a road on which the vehicle is currently traveling). The orientation of the vehicle is detected by the gyro sensor <b>25</b> or the like, and the partition line is detected from an image captured by the vehicle exterior camera <b>19</b>. It is not necessary that the vehicle and the partition line should be perfectly parallel to each other, and it is desirable to consider that the vehicle and the partition line are parallel to each other if the difference in orientation is a predetermined angle or less (e.g. five degrees or less),

0083In the case where it is determined that the orientation of the vehicle has become parallel to the partition line of the road that the vehicle has entered after exiting from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>18</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>19</b>. In the case where it is determined that the orientation of the vehicle has not become parallel to the partition line of the road that the vehicle has entered after exiting from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>18</b>: NO), in contrast, the travel assist processing program is ended, and the vehicle continues to travel through the manual drive.

0084In S<b>19</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the next branch point that appears along the expected travel route is located within a predetermined distance (e.g. within 700 m) from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition and passed through by the vehicle and the next branch point is also a branch point that meets the predetermined condition.

0085In the case where the next branch point that appears along the expected travel route is located within a predetermined distance from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition and passed through by the vehicle and the next branch point is also a branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>19</b>: YES), it is necessary to make a changeover to the manual drive again immediately thereafter even if the automated drive control is recovered. Thus, the travel assist processing program is ended without recovering the automated drive control, and control is performed such that the vehicle continues to travel through the manual drive.

0086In the case where the next branch point that appears along the expected travel route is not located within a predetermined distance from the branch point that meets the predetermined condition and passed through by the vehicle, or in the case where it is determined that the next branch point that appears along the expected travel route is located within a predetermined distance from such a branch point but is not a branch point that meets the predetermined condition (S<b>19</b>: NO), the processing proceeds to S<b>20</b>.

0087In S<b>20</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route. For example, in the case where the vehicle <b>55</b> has passed through the branch point <b>53</b> that meets the predetermined condition through the manual drive and the expected travel route for the vehicle <b>55</b> suggests that the vehicle <b>55</b> should travel straight through a next branch point <b>56</b> as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, it is determined that the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route if the vehicle <b>55</b> has entered a left lane <b>57</b> after exiting from the branch point <b>53</b>. In the case where the expected travel route for the vehicle <b>55</b> suggests that the vehicle <b>55</b> should make a right turn at the next branch point <b>56</b>, meanwhile, it is determined that the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route if the vehicle <b>55</b> has entered a right lane <b>58</b> after exiting from the branch point <b>53</b>. Guidance on a lane that the vehicle <b>55</b> should enter after exiting from the branch point <b>53</b> (a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route) may be provided in advance when or before the vehicle <b>55</b> passes through the branch point <b>53</b>. For example, guidance that says “Enter the left lane after turning right” may be provided.

0088In the case where it is determined that the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route (S<b>20</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>21</b>. In the case where it is determined that the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is not a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route (S<b>20</b>: NO), in contrast, the processing proceeds to S<b>23</b>.

0089In S<b>21</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> transmits an instruction signal to the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> via a CAN to switch the travel mode of the vehicle from the manual drive based on a drive operation by the user to travel through the automated drive control. As a result, the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> which has received the instruction signal starts processing related to the automated drive control, and the vehicle resumes travel through the automated drive control. After that, the processing proceeds to S<b>22</b>.

0090In S<b>21</b>, travel through the automated drive control may be recovered on condition that the user is detected to have made a predetermined indication of intention to start the automated drive control. The predetermined indication of intention is an operation of the automated drive start button. In addition, the user may be considered to have made a predetermined indication of intention to start the automated drive control in the case where a steering unit, a brake unit, and an accelerator of the vehicle are not operated for a certain time (e.g. five seconds) or more, besides an operation of the automated drive start button. Whether the steering unit, the brake unit, and the accelerator of the vehicle are not operated for a certain time or more is determined by-receiving a signal from the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b>.

0091Next, in S<b>22</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> outputs, from the liquid crystal display <b>15</b> or the speaker <b>16</b>, guidance indicating that the automated drive control has been recovered. For example, audio that says “Automated drive is started.” is output. After that, the travel assist processing program is ended.

0092In S<b>23</b>, meanwhile, the CPU <b>41</b> determines whether or not the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change.

0093In the case where it is determined that the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change (S<b>23</b>: YES), the processing proceeds to S<b>21</b>. In the case where it is determined that the automated drive control does not have the function of making a lane change (S<b>23</b>: NO), in contrast, the processing proceeds to S<b>24</b>.

0094In S<b>24</b>, the CPU <b>41</b> outputs, from the liquid crystal display <b>15</b> or the speaker <b>16</b>, guidance that prompts a lane change. Specifically, guidance on a change to a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route is provided. For example, audio that says “Change to the left (right) lane.” is output. After that, the travel assist processing program is ended. If the user makes a lane change in accordance with the guidance after that and the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the processing proceeds to S<b>21</b> in the travel assist processing program to be executed next time and thereafter, and the automated drive control is recovered.

0095In the case where the automated drive control has the function of making a lane change (S<b>23</b>: YES), on the other hand, a lane change is made automatically after the automated drive control is recovered and the vehicle changes to a lane designated for the travel direction of the vehicle along the expected travel route as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>.

0096With the navigation apparatus <b>1</b> according to the embodiment, an automated drive assisting method performed by the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>, and a computer program executed by the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>, as has been described above, a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive based on a drive operation by the user is made (S<b>12</b>) in the case where the vehicle is traveling through the automated drive control in the automated drive section in which the automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted and there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle; and the automated drive control is recovered (S<b>21</b>) after the vehicle passes through the branch point that meets the predetermined condition while traveling on the basis of the manual drive based on a drive operation by the user after the changeover. Thus, it is possible for the vehicle which passes through the branch point to appropriately make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive, and to recover the automated drive control after the changeover. Thus, even in the case where general roads are included in a section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, it is possible for the vehicle to travel while switching between travel through the automated drive control and travel through the manual drive at appropriate timings in accordance with the situations.

0097It should be understood that the embodiment described above is not limiting, and that various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit.

0098In the embodiment, for example, a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive based on a drive operation by the user is made in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle, and the branch point that meets the predetermined condition is such a branch point that an entry road for entry into the branch point and an exit road for exit from the branch point in the case where the vehicle travels along the expected travel route are not on the along-the-way relationship. However, the predetermined condition may be changed as appropriate. For example, the branch point that meets the predetermined condition may be a branch point with no traffic signal, a branch point of four or more roads, or a branch point, an entry road into which is not a priority road,

0099In the embodiment, switching from the automated drive control to the manual drive is made in the case where the user has made a predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive. However, switching from the automated drive control to the manual drive may be made automatically when the vehicle has entered a changeover section irrespective of an indication of intention by the user,

0100In the embodiment, the expected travel route for the vehicle is changed to a route that passes through the branch point along the way in the case where the user is not detected to have made a predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle reaches the end point of the changeover section. However, the vehicle may first be caused to pass through the branch point along the way through the automated drive control, and the expected travel route may be changed (a re-search is made) on the basis of the current position of the vehicle thereafter.

0101In the embodiment, the travel assist processing program (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>) is executed by the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>. However, the travel assist processing program may be executed by the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b>. In such a case, the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> acquires the current position of the vehicle and the map information from the navigation apparatus <b>1</b>.

0102In the embodiment, automated drive control for automatic travel, which does not rely on drive operations by the user, has been described as control in which the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> controls all the operations including an accelerator operation, a brake operation, and a steering operation, which are related to the behavior of the vehicle, among operations on the vehicle. However, automated drive control may be control in which the vehicle control ECU <b>20</b> controls at least one of the operations including an accelerator operation, a brake operation, and a steering operation, which are related to the behavior of the vehicle, among operations on the vehicle. On the other hand, manual drive, which relies on drive operations by the user, is described as drive in which the user performs all of the operations including an accelerator operation, a brake operation, and a steering operation, which are related to the behavior of the vehicle, among operations on the vehicle.

0103The above-described principles can be applied to devices that have a function of providing guidance on travel along a route for guidance, besides the navigation apparatus. For example, the above-described principles may also be applied to devices such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a portable terminal etc.). The above-described principles may also be applied to a system composed of a server and a portable terminal etc. In this ease, each step of the travel assist processing program (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>) discussed above may be performed by any of the server and the portable terminal etc. It should be noted, however, that in the case where the above-described principles are applied to the portable terminal etc., it is necessary that the vehicle which can be subjected to the automated drive control and the portable terminal etc. should be connected so as to communicate with each other (either through a wire or wirelessly).

0104While an automated drive assisting system according to a specific embodiment has been described above, the automated drive assisting system may be configured as described below, and the following effect can be achieved in such cases.

0105For example, a first configuration is as follows.

0106The automated drive assisting system has: route acquisition means (<b>41</b>) for acquiring an expected travel route for a vehicle (<b>55</b>) that includes an automated drive section in which automated drive control for the vehicle is permitted; control execution means (<b>41</b>) for executing the automated drive control for the vehicle such that the vehicle travels along the expected travel route in the automated drive section which is included in the expected travel route; and travel assisting means (<b>41</b>) for making a changeover from the automated drive control to manual drive based on a drive operation by a user in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in a travel direction of the vehicle which travels through the automated drive control in the automated drive section, the changeover being made before the branch point.

0107With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible for a vehicle that passes through a branch point to appropriately make a changeover from automated drive control to manual drive in the case where there is a branch point that meets a predetermined condition ahead in the travel direction of the vehicle which travels through the automated drive control. Thus, even in the case where general roads are included in a section in which travel through the automated drive control is permitted, it is possible for the vehicle to travel while switching between travel through the automated drive control and travel through the manual drive at appropriate timings in accordance with the situations.

0108A second configuration is as follows.

0109The branch point that meets the predetermined condition is such a branch point that an entry road (<b>51</b>) for entry into the branch point and an exit road (<b>52</b>) for exit from the branch point in the case where the vehicle (<b>55</b>) travels along the expected travel route are not on an along-the-way relationship.

0110With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to accurately specify a branch point through which it is difficult for the vehicle to pass through the automated drive control. Thus, it is possible to allow the vehicle to travel appropriately by switching to travel through the manual drive in a necessary section while allowing the vehicle to travel through the automated drive control as much as possible.

0111A third configuration is as follows.

0112The branch point that meets the predetermined condition is a branch point that requires a change in vehicle orientation of a predetermined angle or more in the case where the vehicle (<b>55</b>) travels along the expected travel route.

0113With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to accurately specify a branch point through which it is difficult for the vehicle to pass through the automated drive control. Thus, it is possible to allow the vehicle to travel appropriately by switching to travel through the manual drive in a necessary section while allowing the vehicle to travel through the automated drive control as much as possible.

0114A fourth configuration is as follows.

0115The automated drive assisting system further includes changeover section setting means (<b>41</b>) for setting a changeover section in which the changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is made; and the travel assisting means (<b>41</b>) makes the changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in the case where the user is detected to have made a predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle (<b>55</b>) reaches an end point of the changeover section.

0116With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, a section in which a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is made is set in advance, and a changeover is made in the case where the user has made an indication of intention in the section. Thus, it is possible to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive at appropriate timings for passage through the branch point. In addition, a changeover is made at a timing desired by the user. Thus, travel of the vehicle is not hindered by the changeover to the manual drive.

0117A fifth configuration is as follows.

0118The predetermined indication of intention is an operation, of one of a steering unit, a brake unit, an accelerator, and a shift lever of the vehicle (<b>55</b>), and an operation section to be operated by the user to start the automated drive control.

0119With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to appropriately detect an indication of intention by the user who desires to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive via operation means provided in the vehicle.

0120A sixth configuration is as follows.

0121The travel assisting means (<b>41</b>) continues the automated drive control and performs control such that the vehicle passes through the branch point along the way in the case where the user is not detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle (<b>55</b>) reaches the end point of the changeover section.

0122With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible for the vehicle to pass through the branch, point in a manner that enables travel through the automated drive control, irrespective of the expected travel route for the vehicle, in situations where a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive cannot be made before passage of the branch point. In addition, the vehicle is not subjected to an emergency stop, and thus the traffic flow at the branch point is not obstructed.

0123A seventh configuration is as follows.

0124The automated drive assisting system further includes route change means (<b>41</b>) for changing the expected travel route to a route that passes through the branch point along the way in the case where the user is not detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle (<b>55</b>) reaches the end point of the changeover section.

0125With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible for the vehicle to pass through the branch point in a manner that enables travel through the automated drive control, by changing the expected travel route for the vehicle, in situations where a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive cannot be made before passage of the branch point.

0126An eighth configuration is as follows.

0127The travel assisting means (<b>41</b>) stops or decelerates the vehicle in the case where the user is not detected to have made the predetermined indication of intention to start the manual drive before the vehicle (<b>55</b>) reaches the end point of the changeover section and there does not exist a route that passes through the branch point along the way.

0128With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to control the vehicle so as not to enter the branch point in situations where a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive cannot be made before passage through the branch point.

0129A ninth configuration is as follows.

0130The end point of the changeover section is a deceleration start point that allows the vehicle (<b>55</b>) to stop at a stop line provided at the branch point by decelerating at a deceleration of a threshold or less and that is the closest to the stop line.

0131With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to cause the vehicle to stop at the stop line without imposing a significant burden on the vehicle or the passengers in the case where a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive is not made in the changeover section.

0132A tenth configuration is as follows.

0133A start point of the changeover section is a location positioned farther away from the branch point along the expected travel route than the end point of the changeover section and a predetermined distance before a stop line provided at the branch point.

0134With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive at appropriate timings for passage through the branch point.

0135An eleventh configuration is as follows.

0136A start point of the changeover section is a location positioned farther away from the branch point along the expected travel route than the end point of the changeover section and at which the vehicle has been moved to a lane designated for the travel direction for the vehicle to pass through the branch point along the expected travel route.

0137With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive at appropriate timings for passage through the branch point particularly in the case where the automated drive control has a function of making a lane change.

0138A twelfth configuration is as follows.

0139The travel assisting means (<b>41</b>) provides guidance that prompts the changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive in the changeover section when the vehicle (<b>55</b>) reaches a start point of the changeover section.

0140With the automated drive assisting system configured as described above, it is possible to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive at appropriate timings by providing the user with guidance on an appropriate timing to make a changeover from the automated drive control to the manual drive.